#WrestleSofia

Japan to Dispatch Takahashi to Last-Chance Olympic Qualifier

Tuesday, April 13, 2021 - 05:54 By Ken Marantz

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TOKYO, Japan (April 13) --- The Japan Wrestling Federation plans to dispatch former world champion Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) to the final world Olympic qualifying tournament at freestyle style 57kg in place of Rei HIGUCHI (JPN), who missed the chance qualify Japan for the Tokyo Olympics when he failed to make weight at the recently completed Asian qualifier.

JWF general manager Shigeki NISHIGUCHI was quoted as saying on the federation website on Tuesday that Takahashi said he is prepared to take on the challenge at the last-chance qualifier, to be held in Sofia, Bulgaria, May 6-9.

"Higuchi has to reduce much weight, and there is not much time until [the qualifying tournament, so we are considering sending Yuki Takahashi, who has achieved good results such as winning the title at the 2017 World Championships," Nishiguchi said.

Securing a berth for Japan in Sofia, however, will not automatically guarantee the place for Takahashi. According to federation rules, he will have participate in a playoff, to be held on the final day of the All-Japan Invitational Championships to be held in Tokyo on May 27-30.

Higuchi's failure to make weight was the start of a rough day for Japan, as it failed to earn any berths in the four freestyle weight classes in which it competed.

Nishiguchi said that national team technical director Kenji INOUE contacted Takahashi to confirm that he was available, and the 2020 national champion replied, "I am fully prepared."

Higuchi had moved up a weight class after winning the silver medal at 57kg at the Rio 2016 Olympics, then made an unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics at 65kg.

He then dropped back down to the lightest weight class, and won the 2019 national title to earn the ticket to the Asian qualifier in Almaty. Making weight was always a struggle, and the Japan federation was left in shock when he just barely missed making weight at the weigh-in.

#WrestleParis

Techniques, safety, focus: UWW referees ready for Paris 2024

Thursday, August 1, 2024 - 09:40 By United World Wrestling Press

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ATHENS, Greece (August 1) -- United World Wrestling referees for Paris 2024 completed a three-day seminar from June 21 to 23, hosted by the Greek Wrestling Federation in Athens. The seminar was held to prepare for the Olympics, where referees will be ITOs.

The program consisted of self and group analysis of previous performance, theoretical study, mental preparedness, medical and safety training as well as on-the-mat training with Women's Wrestling, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestlers and coaching experts.

Led by the President of the UWW Athletes Commission, Arsen JULFALAKYAN, as well as coaches Alfred TER-MKRTCHYAN, Patrick NUDING and Amiran KARDANOV and wrestlers Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) and Christos KOUTSOURIDIS (GRE), referees analyzed common wrestling techniques and tactics in all styles and the proper philosophy and mechanisms referees should utilize when evaluating these situations.

Referee seminar

During these sessions, Julfalakyan also emphasized concerns and questions he receives from wrestlers and how we can improve the communication between athletes and referees when discussing the application of the rules.

Mental strength training sessions were led by Holger KNOLL, a trained mental strength coach specializing in athlete training. His sessions focused on how referees can improve their concentration and focus before, during and after competitions.

Babak SHADGAN, President of the UWW Medical Commission, provided medical and safety training, with focus on the role a referee plays in injury prevention.

In addition to the referee's instruction, Tristan MORAD, UWW Sports Department Coordinator, provided a presentation on the logistics and schedule of the wrestling of Paris 2024.

United World Wrestling and the UWW Referee Commission graciously thank the Greek Wrestling Federation and its President, Stergios LEONKIS, and UWW Bureau Vice President, Theodore HAMAKOS and numerous volunteers for their organization and hospitality in hosting the seminar.